Reviews

Mama, I'm Swollen

Omaha indie songsters Cursive will take some respite from the cold and the cornfields of the Midwest at Jacksonville Beach's Freebird Live March 20.

Expect to hear a mix of the raucous, angular melodies from 2003's suggestively titled "The Ugly Organ" and introspective lyrics a la Cursive's 2000 discourse on divorce "Domestica." Personally, I look forward to hearing just about anything off of "Happy Hollow" in this, the southern vanguard of the Bible Belt.

Though Cursive was, according to guitarist Ted Stevens, initially conceived as a straight-up, two-guitar rock band, the band has expanded its sound over the years, including a four-year stint with a cello player and brass orchestration on recent albums courtesy of fellow Saddle Creeker Nate Walcott.

On March 20, the band's keyboardist, who also plays trumpet and flugelhorn, will hold down brass section and throw in some improv on the normal melodies, Stevens told the Spinnaker.

The show will be a mix of classics and songs off of the band's most recent album, "Mama, I'm Swollen," Stevens said. The single-heavy set is an effort to win new fans, he said.

The band has done two-night stays at The Social in Orlando, but Jacksonville doesn't seem to be Cursive's market.

Next time Cursive passes through Duval, however, fans can expect a different experience because frontman Tim Kasher saves past sets from each city and refers to them when writing new set lists, Stevens said.

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Cursive performs with Alkaline Trio March 20 at Freebird Live. Doors open at 7 p.m., and tickets are $17.50 in advance, $20 day of show.